One death and a sexual assault but Global Gathering crime down overall

Police officers searched more than 550 people on suspicion of drugs related offences at the two-day dance music event, which was held at Long Marston Airfield, but only two people were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply, compared to ten arrested for drugs trafficking offences last year.

Another 139 were cautioned this year, while 34 received warnings for possession of drugs.

There were also 12 reported car crimes, including the theft of two cars from the festival car parks, 24 reports of theft of property such as phones and wallets from individuals and 63 other reports of theft of property, mostly from campsite tents. Two people reported having their tents stolen.

Police are investigating one report of sexual assault against a woman and are also treating as unexplained the death of a 24-year old man, who was found unconscious in his tent by one of his friends on Saturday afternoon.

During the festival police and the organisers of the GlobalGathering, Angel Festivals Ltd, also became concerned when a substance known as ‘Dr Death’ or ‘yellow chicken’ - which also goes under the name of PMA or PPMA - was found in one of the amnesty bins placed near the entrance to the festival.

The substance is a newly emerging drug - or a ‘legal high’ as they have previously been referred to - and can be fatal, especially if mixed with alcohol.

Superintendent Martin Samuel said: “GlobalGathering is like having a small town in place for three days.

“With 40,000 people attending the festival, there was some crime, but this was less than in previous years.

“Sadly, we also had the death of one of the people attending the festival. A post mortem examination is yet to take place, but we are treating his death as unexplained.”